CSUMB vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Monterey Bay 24:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

CSUMB vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUMB or Purdue Northwest? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Purdue University Northwest than CSUMB ($7,916 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 48.3% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($8,907 vs. $17,234).
• Purdue University Northwest is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $896 more per year; $8,675.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at CSUMB than at Purdue University Northwest (about $4,285 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Northwest than at California State University Monterey Bay (89% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 74.3% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($12,185 vs. $6,992).

CSUMB vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUMB or Purdue Northwest? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purdue Northwest and CSUMB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 40 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming CSUMB students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Purdue Northwest (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Monterey Bay 17/23; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUMB - Test-free; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at CSUMB vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

CSUMB vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUMB and Purdue Northwest? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.